The Wednesday Walk 22nd May 2013

The Plan

Woodlands to Verwood

The Leader

Trudy B

Who Turned Up

Trudy B, Trudy H, Wendy, Sue, Tony and Beatrice H, Tony and Diane R, David

The Walk

We drove to Woodlands and parked on the village green, as on previous occasions. The morning walk started well but we went a little off course and a chat with a local villager was needed to point us back in the direction of Verwood.
After lunch we headed north to Edmonsham before turning back towards Woodlands. The going was good, the weather stayed cool but dry, and bluebells were seen in abundance in Boys Wood.
Our thanks to Beatrice and Tony for tea and cakes to round off the day.

The Pub

The Albion at Verwood. We were pleased to have Brian join us for lunch. The waitress was cheery and friendly and offered Trudy B a free drink after the meal she ordered was unavailable. The cod and chips went down well with several walkers. David’s pie was tasty but only half the size he would have liked. Diane’s ham had a suspicious smell. Otherwise all was well on the food front.

The Wednesday Walk 15th May 2013

 

The Plan

A Winterborne Walk

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Trudy B, Trudy H, Ros, Tony H, David

The Walk

It was raining when we all left home this morning, but the heavy clouds had passed by when we arrived at Winterborne Clenston. As usual, we parked in the field beside the rather lonely village church. A large bull was present in the next field, somewhat intimidating to the ladies. We crossed the road and walked through Whatcombe Wood where we saw numerous bluebells. In places the ground was well coated with them. Wendy will be able to tell you the names of the other flowers. Several of the walkers had brought welly boots but the going was generally good with no really muddy patches.
After lunch we walked the fields parallel to the Whatcombe Road to make our way back to the cars. The day remained dry with the odd patch of sunshine breaking through the clouds. On the way home Sue’s car was attacked by a heavy lorry on a blind bend, sending Sue partially off the road. No one was hurt.
We finished up with tea and cakes at Wendy’s house. Thanks to Wendy for the tea and to the Trudys for the cakes. They were all mouth-watering and the rhubarb upside-down cake was particularly delicious.

The Pub

The Milton Arms at Winterborne Whitechurch. A quiet, neatly-kept pub on the main A354. We had to wait a while for the food which was above average price. Maybe they had to catch an extra chicken to feed the two male walkers. But when the meals arrived they were nicely and freshly cooked. The two men were well satisfied with their Hunter’s Chicken, despite the time it took to cook it. We had no crossword puzzles but Trudy H made up for it by setting us the task of solving her own self-made puzzles. Thank you, Trudy.

Next Week

Meet at Beatrice and Tony’s at 0945 for a Verwood walk.

 

 

Bluebell Walk

Sorry for the absence of a write-up this week. The blog master has succumbed to a change in the weather. But you can enjoy some of the photographs taken by the more hardy walkers. And, if you're quick, you can have a free Kindle download of one of my books. King's Priory will be free on Amazon for one day only, starting later this morning. You can find it at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Priory-Hampton-Warlock-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00BPV6OQ2/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

The Wednesday Walk 1st May 2013

 

The Plan

A walk from Fiddleford to Sturminster Newton

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Sue, Tricia, Tony R, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

What a gloriously sunny day. The temperature only got up to 17 degrees but the clear sky made it an ideal day for a countryside walk. We parked, as usual, at Fiddleford Manor, crossed the main road and walked up through Piddles Wood. The going was generally firm underfoot with just a couple of minor muddy patches. With the greenery yet to fully bloom, we caught a view of the old fort from between the trees but were unable to determine how to actually get to it. It was pleasing to note that styles we expected to find near the end of our route are gates.
After lunch we crossed the main road and walked through narrow lanes to get to the fields beside the River Stour. We came across an interesting development at the old mill where an Archimedes Screw has been installed to provide hydro-electric power. More details can be seen at:
http://www.potenergy.co.uk/fiddleford_mill.php
Wendy has promised to inform Lew about this site. My thanks also go to Wendy for reminding me that we saw bluebells, primroses, wood anemones, cowslips, violets, ladies smock, cherry blossom, celandines and blue speedwell. Finally, our thanks go to Beatrice and Tony for providing tea and cake at the end of the day.

The Pub

The Bull at Sturminster Newton. The food was plentiful and well-prepared. No pies but the wild boar faggots were tasty.

 

Next Week

Meet at Diane and Tony’s at 0945 for a bluebell walk

The Wednesday Walk 17th April 2013

 

The Plan

An Arne walk

The Leader

Wendy

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Trudy H, Beatrice and Tony H, David

The Walk

The day started a little overcast, but nothing to deter the Wednesday Walkers. We drove to the RSPB car park at Arne and walked the Shipstal Nature Trail. We encountered a little skiff of rain, but nothing serious. We came across one herd of deer close to our path. They seemed to regard us with some disdain, refusing to walk or run away from us. “Hey guys, we deer were here first!” We also saw flowers and birds along the route. Check with Wendy for their names.
After lunch we were surprised to see more rain as we left the pub. So we called a halt to the walk and retired to Sue’s for tea, biscuits and excellent home-made cake generously lashed with butter. Very many thanks, Sue. And thanks to Trudy for the photographs.

The Pub

The King’s Arms at Stoborough. That’s the one that threatens to sell disruptive children into slavery, so we behaved ourselves. The food was fine, but the service didn’t merit a tip.

Next Week

Meet at 1030 at the layby near the Angel. The walk will take in Longham Lakes and lunch at the Bridge House.

The Wednesday Walk 10th April 2013

The Plan

Athelhampton to Tolpuddle

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trisha, Sue, Ros,  Trudy B, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David.

The Leader

Wendy

The Walk

What a nice bright spring morning we had when we left home. We were almost tempted to think the seasons had finally clicked back into the right order and winter had wended its way to wherever it now belongs. However, we were not yet taking any chances so Tony and Beatrice left their car at the pub in Tolpuddle just in case things turned wet after lunch.
We drove on to Athelhampton and parked in the car park at Athelhampton House. Then we crossed the road, past the unusually named Orthodox Christian Church, continued through High Wood and along a rather muddy woodland path. After last week’s dry passage this came as bit of a surprise. We entered Tolpuddle along Southover Lane and made straight for the pub. After lunch we took the shorter route back to Athelhampton, walking alongside the river. We arrived at Athelhampton House just as the rain started! What perfect timing.
We ended the day with tea and cakes in Broadstone, for which we thank Wendy and Lew.

The Pub

The Martyrs Inn at Tolpuddle. First of all, we were delighted that Brian was able to join us for lunch. We don’t see enough of you, Brian. The pub? Well, the martyrs would probably not be able to afford to eat here. The food was okay, although they took orders for ham, egg and chips and then announced they had no ham. The pie eater baulked at paying £11.25 for a pie. One final point. The pub owners are hardly likely to read this but – just in case – would you please go to you chalkboard and change ‘”your” to “you’re”. Thank you. The written announcement: “if your under forty…” made one walker nearly spill his beer!

Next Week

Meet at Sue’s at 10am for an Arne walk

Publicity
Two more of my books are now up on Amazon as e-books. Did you know that you don't actually need a Kindle to read a Kindle book?
See: www.acloudofbooks.blogspot.co.uk

The Wednesday Walk 3rd April 2013

 

The Plan

A walk from Dammerham to Alderholt

The Leaders

Wendy and Trudy B

Who Turned Up

Wendy, Trudy B, Trudy H, Sue, Trisha, Tony H, Jackie, David

The Walk

The air was cold, but the sun was shining all day. In fact it was an ideal day for a winter walk. Unfortunately this is supposed to be spring. Mustn’t grumble, it could be worse. It could be summer!
We drove to Dammerham and, after some searching, found suitable parking places, one at the roadside and one in front of a (closed) play school. We then set off towards Alderholt. The going was good, the ground surprisingly firm and the conditions dry and bright. The journey took a little longer than anticipated and it was after one before we got to the pub.
After lunch we set off along a different return route. The going was good until the last mile which was muddy under foot. Along the way we took one wrong turn as a result of inadequate sign-posting. Getting back onto the right track required us to climb a fence and cross a deep ditch.
We were glad of a refreshing cup of tea when we got back to Wendy’s. Thank you, Wendy, for the refreshments.

The Pub
The Churchill at Alderholt. Let's start with the good news. The sweets looked too tempting to be dismissed and most of the walkers indulged, especially when they learned that they came at a knock-down price. The main courses were good value at two meals for £9.95. But the pie was only just good enough. Not up to the best standards.

Next Week

Meet at Wendy’s at 10am.